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You can easily find sprays that claim they are safe for pets and kids. However, we’d rather not use them in our own homes if we’re worried about pet safety: They still include pesticides and other chemicals, and are best avoided in any food prep areas like the kitchen, or any spots where children and pets may place. That’s why sprays didn’t end up in our suggestions for the safest options.

You should never use toxic baits or poisons, such as rodenticides designed for mice and rats, to kill or trap possums. Using these toxicants is illegal in many areas and can lead to fines or other penalties. Furthermore, these poisons can cause unnecessary suffering for the animal and pose a significant risk of accidental poisoning to pets or other neighborhood wildlife. Instead of using poisons, it is best to stick with humane methods like live trapping.

There’s no denying the striking resemblance, but squash bugs are different from the brown marmorated stink bug. While both are shield-shaped and emit a foul odor when crushed, they belong to different insect families and target different plants. Squash bugs primarily attack squash, pumpkins, and other cucurbits, while stink bugs have a much broader range of host plants, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Their eggs and feeding damage also differ, making proper identification key for effective pest control.

Will coffee grounds get rid of squash bugs?

What smell do squash bugs hate?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common chemical compounds used to get rid of bed bugs. These chemicals force bed bugs out of their hiding spots and kill them on the spot so they are eliminated for good. Only professional exterminators can apply these treatments, and they are reserved for severe infestations.